How to brief a graphic designer (and get what you actually want)

The quality of your design depends heavily on the quality of your brief. A few clear answers up front save days of back and forth.

The checklist

1. What does your business do? One or two sentences.
2. Who are you selling to? Be specific. Young professionals in Harare is better than everyone.
3. What should people feel? Trustworthy, bold, playful, premium. Pick two or three words.
4. Brands you admire. Send two or three examples and say what you like about each.
5. Where will it be used? Print, WhatsApp, Instagram, signage, packaging.
6. What is your deadline? And is there an event date it must be ready for?
7. Must-have text and details. Names, dates, prices, phone numbers, addresses.

Common mistakes

• Sending a design you want copied. Share what you like about it instead, so your designer can create something original.
• Changing the brief halfway. If the goal changes, say so early.
• Giving feedback as I do not like it. Say what feels off and what you want to change.

Make feedback easy

Reply in one thread, group your comments, and say what matters most. Our projects include two focused revision rounds, so clear feedback gets you to the final design quickly.

Want to see how it works? Send us your brief and we will reply on WhatsApp.